Following their homecoming victory over Bowdoin, 3-0 Tufts is looking to carry the momentum into a tough game against Trinity at home on Saturday in what should be a physical affair. Both teams are undefeated on the season.
“There’s obviously areas we need to improve in,” Coach Jay Civetti said. “Trinity is as good a team as anyone. They’re well-coached, and I have a lot of personal knowledge of how the program exists, just being an alum. Obviously, I think very highly of what they do. They have excellent team speed. They’re a physical football team, and they’ve had a lot of success historically.”
Trinity’s defense has been nearly impenetrable this season; they have yet to allow a single point on the season.
“Their defense has not been scored on,” Civetti said. “They’ve given up a safety and a blocked PAT for a two-point conversion.”
Yet Tufts is not daunted by this statistic, and appears ready to take on the stifling Trinity defense. The Jumbos are hoping to not only be the first team to score on the defense, but the team that fights them just as physically.
“I give all the credit in the world to Trinity and their coaching staff,” running backs coach Tom Beaton said. “They’ve done a great job defensively this year, but as a competitor, the fact that they haven’t given up a point on defense [is] a pretty fun challenge for our offense this week and I think that’s something we’re certainly going to embrace.”
With a tough offensive line and a successful running game, the ground is the first angle of attack for the Jumbos this Saturday. The team will look to junior running back Chance Brady, who has already rushed for 289 yards and five touchdowns this season.
“We’re going to continue to run the ball,” Civetti said. “We’re very confident in the run game. We need to challenge them vertically. Those are the two things we do well. That’s been the game plan for the last two weeks, and that’ll be the game plan for week four.”
While the Jumbos have played three close games this season, they credit their landslide victory against the Polar Bears last Saturday to the home crowd. With close to 5,500 fans watching the Tufts homecoming game, the energy was palpable for the team. The Jumbos are looking to capitalize on their home field advantage again this Saturday.
Adapting to being undefeated has been exciting for the Jumbos, who have not started out with three straight wins since 2007. However, this also poses some difficulties for the team.
“Being 3-0 brings a new challenge,” Civetti said. “I mean, obviously it’s exciting, but at the same time, managing your emotions that way and controlling your excitement is another step.”
While the Jumbos will be looking to their offense to continue with their high-intensity tempo -- as they have the first three weeks of the season -- the Bantams will no doubt continue to look to their defense to step up and shut down the Jumbos' offense. The defensive stars for Trinity this season have been senior defensive back Paul McCarthy, who leads the NESCAC with four interceptions, and first-year linebacker Shane Libby, who has notched 2.5 sacks on the year.
Improving to 4-0 is part of a bigger goal for Tufts, which is currently in contention for the NESCAC championship.
“It should be the way [everyone] wants it,” Civetti said. “You have two 3-0 teams, and for us, obviously being at home is a huge advantage. We’ve got a lot of confidence here and we’re excited to play in front of our home crowd; it’s an environment we’ve had a lot of success in. This game’s been won in overtime, this game’s been won by a point. This is a game you don’t forget. I don’t forget the four games I played against Tufts as a player.”
With a win over Trinity, Tufts would be one step closer to its goal. This Saturday’s game is shaping up to be one of the most important, and physical, games in the conference this season.
